You can 3D-print your own case if you have a Nokia Lumia 820

Nokia releases 3D print files for custom smartphone cases.

Back covers for the Lumia 820, which are now 3D-printable by customers.

Nokia

Nokia has started to offer a set of printable 3D backs for its Lumia 820 smartphone, according to a report from Engadget. Customers are able to download the files from Nokia’s website and either forward them to a printing service or bring them into a store to get a (somewhat) unique made-to-order case.

The snap-on cases harken back to one of Nokia’s most popular phones of all time, the Nokia 5110, for which there was an endless supply of snap-on faceplates sold at innumerable mall kiosks. Nokia is now calling itself “the first major phone company to begin embracing the 3D printing community.”

Customers who download the printing files (free Nokia developer account required) can forward them to online services like Sculpteo or Shapeways to get a single print in a color of their choice. As for retail options, Staples now provides 3D printers along with the rest of its print, ship, and copy arsenal in its brick-and-mortar stores.

While this seems like a bit of a gimmick for the middle-of-the-road Lumia 820, it makes us eager for the day when we can print-to-order cases for other smartphones, maybe created by DIY enthusiasts who aren’t backed by a manufacturing operation but are handy with Maya.

This could also be a fix to the "you're holding it wrong" problems that some phones have experienced over the years (such as the iPhone). For many phones, a user-developed case that contoured the user's handgrip to a safe location might be handy (ahem) solution.

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I can't say I know much about Nokia as a whole, but this is super cool.

It would be cool to be able to get a 3d model of any phone that you could use to create your own cases from scratch as well. How are those things typically done? Are there "3d scanners" that allow you to scan in an item and duplicate it/modify it in 3d design software for printing?

I've seen a bit from the printing angle but a scanner would make your printer into a 3d copier.

Gimmick or not, this is pretty darn cool & as far as I can think of, it also puts Nokia as the first consumer electronics (or anything) company of significant size to issue 3d print files for something they make that is not a 3d printer. The snap on case market is crowded with 3rd party things of various quality that gets Nokia nothing, releasing these costs them nothing and shifts blame for damaged 3d print cases to whomever printed it instead of Nokia ;P. Plus the possibilities for what the internet will do to enhance those case files in function & ascetic are potentially endless in ways that make all the bedazzled iPhone cases I see look ridiculous.

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I'm going to play with a 3D printer for Ars, write up some thoughts. I have no 3D experience, I won't be walking into using it with anything more than any Arsian would bring to the table, so very curious to see if I think it's ready for 'average' people to start dabbling.

Nice marketing effort to appeal to the geeks. 3-D printing a generic case is always going to be more expensive than something mass produced in China, but if you have the ability to easily customize (and I suspect anyone printing this will), then you could have your name inscribed in pretty script and an embossed basrelief of your face

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I'm going to play with a 3D printer for Ars, write up some thoughts. I have no 3D experience, I won't be walking into using it with anything more than any Arsian would bring to the table, so very curious to see if I think it's ready for 'average' people to start dabbling.

I picked up some basic Solidworks and 3D printing (Objet Eden Printer) skills in grad school because it is so useful to design and print certain parts vs. hacking catalog hardware together or waiting/paying for a traditional machine shop. Solidworks has great built-in tutorials and tons on online (youtube, forums, etc) content available. I thought it was quite easy to learn. The Objet printer was very easy to use, as well, but it is a bit expensive to run. I think the printer is well over $100k and the plastic "ink" runs in the $100s per kg range.

Now that I no longer have direct access to a 3D printer, I get quite frustrated with the fees 3D printing companies charge. For example, $1000 for the first part, and $300 for subsequent copies. I know there is virtually no nonrecoverable setup parts or labor, so the extra $700 in first part is just pure profit. It has discouraged me from using 3D printing as much as I would like...

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I'm going to play with a 3D printer for Ars, write up some thoughts. I have no 3D experience, I won't be walking into using it with anything more than any Arsian would bring to the table, so very curious to see if I think it's ready for 'average' people to start dabbling.

I'd be interested in that. Personally - the hardest bit for me to get over is how much I'd actually use it. I understand and value it's more legitimate uses (nuts, bolts, phone cases, etc). For me personally, those occurences (or rather, the need for me to go out and purchase things I might otherwise be able to just print) aren't frequent enough for me to even spend $100 on a 3D printer.

I think hobbyists have a better case for more frequent usage - but I personally would be surprised if there was a 3D printer in every home 5,10,15 years down the line.

There are already 3D printers sold on Amazon for thousands of dollars. In a few years they will cost hundreds of dollars.

[sarcasm]Then the printer will cost $35, but the cartridge will be $150 and good for one use.[/sarcasm]

Why sarcasm? That's exactly what will happen. 3D printers use consumables. Manufacturers use huge profit margins on 3D printers right now because R&D on them is still astronomical, and because no one is buying them so they can't make money on volume.

As soon as that changes, and printers get cheap, and are made by a dozen different companies, they will start making money on consumables. It wouldn't surprise me if one cartridge equaled one 3D print.

Anyhow, I never print. A piece of paper contains information. Information belongs on a computer. Not on paper. But the 3D printers would be a game changer. Physical items have their purpose. Imagine just printing an extra set of car keys?

I'm less interested in how this could be used to print cases, and more interested in how the measurements could be used/modified to print other "things" that hold the phone. Car/desktop docks come to mind, as do prosthetic applications for amputees.

Aurich, I would be delighted if you'd tackle a modification like hacking the file for a case into a desktop dock - something that requires a little more sophistication than download->print but not from-scratch levels of design.

To me all this 3D printing tech is leading to a system like the "Feed" from the book the Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson.

"Matter compilers receive their raw materials from the Feed, a system analogous to the electrical grid of modern society. The Feed carries streams of both energy and basic molecules, which are rapidly assembled into usable goods by matter compilers. The Source, where the Feed's stream of matter originates, is controlled by the Victorian phyle (though smaller, independent Feeds are possible). The hierarchic nature of the Feed and an alternative, anarchic developing technology, known as the Seed, mirror the cultural conflict between East and West that is depicted in the book. This conflict has an economic element as well, with the Feed representing a centrally-controlled distribution mechanism, while the Seed represents a more flexible, open-ended, decentralised method of creation and organization."

I'm less interested in how this could be used to print cases, and more interested in how the measurements could be used/modified to print other "things" that hold the phone. Car/desktop docks come to mind, as do prosthetic applications for amputees.

Aurich, I would be delighted if you'd tackle a modification like hacking the file for a case into a desktop dock - something that requires a little more sophistication than download->print but not from-scratch levels of design.

I'll keep that in mind, thanks. I have no clue what I'm getting myself into here.

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I'm going to play with a 3D printer for Ars, write up some thoughts. I have no 3D experience, I won't be walking into using it with anything more than any Arsian would bring to the table, so very curious to see if I think it's ready for 'average' people to start dabbling.

While you're at it, you can start your own company, Lawson 3D Objectivity, Ltd., and then you can sell us leases for the 3D printer (or provide some items that we can pick from to have created for us at a cost)

The book "singularity" by Bill deSmedt has a guy who "prints" his dishes for dinner, then melts them down afterwards. When he hears bad guys trying to get into his house, he quickly prints out a bunch of weapons, hoping they don't hear his machine and don't find him before the printer is finished.

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I'm going to play with a 3D printer for Ars, write up some thoughts. I have no 3D experience, I won't be walking into using it with anything more than any Arsian would bring to the table, so very curious to see if I think it's ready for 'average' people to start dabbling.

Which one are you choosing? Kit or pre-assembled?

EDIT: Nevermind. I should have scrolled down before typing.

I'm curious how easy the Makerbot will be to setup. I've found that assembly seems to be a very small portion of the process. Fine tuning the variables on the slicing engine is where it will make the difference between OK and great prints from my experience. Putting together an existing design from a kit felt like just a little bit harder version of Ikea furniture.

There are already 3D printers sold on Amazon for thousands of dollars. In a few years they will cost hundreds of dollars.

[sarcasm]Then the printer will cost $35, but the cartridge will be $150 and good for one use.[/sarcasm]

Why sarcasm? That's exactly what will happen. 3D printers use consumables. Manufacturers use huge profit margins on 3D printers right now because R&D on them is still astronomical, and because no one is buying them so they can't make money on volume.

As soon as that changes, and printers get cheap, and are made by a dozen different companies, they will start making money on consumables. It wouldn't surprise me if one cartridge equaled one 3D print.

Anyhow, I never print. A piece of paper contains information. Information belongs on a computer. Not on paper. But the 3D printers would be a game changer. Physical items have their purpose. Imagine just printing an extra set of car keys?

Depends on what you print. Just some word document. No, don't bother. I frequently print out player aids for tabletop games, which I guess I could avoid if I want to bring a tablet everywhere with me and pass it around the table. Seems easier to print and cut them. Sometimes that player aid it meant for each player to write on. Better to just print them out and use a pencil. The other thing is printing out components for a game (Print 'n' play) which make it really hard to play a game when it's in a PDF that you need to make a deck of cards and other pieces.

This is all kinds of awesome in the grand scheme of things, but I prefer soft, doesn't-shatter-on-impact covers for stuff that tends to hit a pavement a lot...

Is there an equivalent to home 3D printing for sewing machines?

3D printers can print in a variety of materials. I usually print in ABS, which is pretty rugged. These days most people are going with PLA, which isn't quite as rugged but it has a few advantages too (it doesn't contract as it cools so you can do bigger builds without warping, it doesn't need a heated print bed, and it's biodegradable).

Also, as an aside, 3D-printed stuff is usually only printed with a small amount of infill, which actually makes things both stronger and lighter compared to injection-molding (although some of that strength improvement is mitigated by the fact that there's a "grain" to the material that wouldn't be there otherwise).

I also like that the material cost is around 4 cents a gram. Of course, the full cost of a build is more than that because of electricity costs, which can add up fast.

My main use for my 3D printer is making upgrades and replacement parts for things around the house. I've also experimented with building (other peoples') musical instruments on Thingiverse. It's a lot of fun.

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I'm going to play with a 3D printer for Ars, write up some thoughts. I have no 3D experience, I won't be walking into using it with anything more than any Arsian would bring to the table, so very curious to see if I think it's ready for 'average' people to start dabbling.

In my experience using one, the most difficult part is probably having the 3D modeling experience necessary to create the object virtually. The machine I used (it was a fairly small FDM machine) was hilariously simple to use - you basically gave it the right file, told it where you wanted it to print, and it just printed it for you.

edit: I'd say that, given how easy and popular tools like Sketchup are, all we need is for the technology to come down in cost.

I've read several articles on 3D printing, from both sides of the fence of its practicality and future. Completely disregarding all of that, I really dig that a 'bigger' company is willing to buy in to an idea that isn't theirs, just to see where it goes.

I'm going to play with a 3D printer for Ars, write up some thoughts. I have no 3D experience, I won't be walking into using it with anything more than any Arsian would bring to the table, so very curious to see if I think it's ready for 'average' people to start dabbling.

In my experience using one, the most difficult part is probably having the 3D modeling experience necessary to create the object virtually. The machine I used (it was a fairly small FDM machine) was hilariously simple to use - you basically gave it the right file, told it where you wanted it to print, and it just printed it for you.

I'll be very interested to read Aurich's article on this. As someone who has been "3D printing" in one form or another at work for over 15 years now, there are certainly a lot advantages to it. However, I think most folks would be disappointed in the current quality of the surface finish from "printed" parts. There's noticeable layers and a stair-stepped appearance to slanted and curved surfaces (depending on the orientation you build them).

There certainly can be a lot of uses for a 3D printer, but I don't think they're going to be replacing injection molded parts soon.

Now, a low cost automated 3-axis mill is something I could get really excited about

Nice marketing effort to appeal to the geeks. 3-D printing a generic case is always going to be more expensive than something mass produced in China, but if you have the ability to easily customize (and I suspect anyone printing this will), then you could have your name inscribed in pretty script and an embossed basrelief of your face

Except the geeks that would blow hundreds to thousands of dollars on a 3D printer probably aren't going to save the $50 by getting the 820 over the 920...

It seems pointlessly stupid to only release the model file for the low-end phone.

Okay, not the sort of thing you'd buy on Amazon, still, inexpensive options for people who don't mind a bit of tinkering. We're getting a Replicator 2 at school in a couple weeks, really looking forward to it. Our Thing-O-Matic keeps falling apart.